Garrett is 16-16 since replacing Wade Phillips midway through the 2010 season, but the Cowboys (3-5) have dropped nine of their last 13 games, including four of the last five and two straight.

As if all that wasn't enough to put Garrett on the hot seat, news broke this week that New Orleans coach Sean Payton will be a free agent after his NFL-imposed one-year suspension ends.

Payton, a Super Bowl champion, has deep ties to the Cowboys and would easily be the team's most respected coach since Bill Parcells called the shots from 2003-06.

Already unpopular with many fans, Garrett could be losing even more support after popular former Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson told “The Dan Patrick Show” there is a “country club” atmosphere at Valley Ranch, where “everybody is buddies” and players have “no fear.”

Garrett was asked about Johnson's comments during his daily media briefing at team headquarters, where the Cowboys are preparing for Sunday's game at Philadelphia (3-5), another club with fading playoff hopes.

“I don't really have any comment on that,” said Garrett, who played for Johnson, a two-time Super Bowl champion. “We do things the way we do things here from a football standpoint. We believe we practice the right way and we meet the right way and we create the right atmosphere of urgency for our players.”

Tight end Jason Witten wasn't as politically correct, saying of Johnson, “I haven't seen him around a lot.”

Jones declined to comment when asked about Johnson's country-club comment. He did, however, have plenty to say when asked to evaluate Garrett.

“First of all, Jason is incredibly smart,” Jones said. “No one understands the game more. He grew up at a breakfast table knowing about the NFL. His father was a coach. His father was a scout. He understands the league. He is a great leader. He leads our team in a great way.”

Jones, though, did acknowledge the Cowboys have underachieved.

“We had higher expectations than this,” Jones said. “Obviously, we're disappointed with our record. At the end of the day, you are what you are. We're 3-5 and we've got to improve.”